Fresh IE

 

Struggle

That in one word describes the childhood, the life and music career of Robert Wilson.

But growing up in poverty didn't stop his love of music, it fostered it.

Music became the most important source of refuge in his young life.

From the dysfunction around him he learned to reach inside and found a way to grasp

attention then would turn around and use it entertain those around him.

Today, same story. Different decade. Except he's more well known now as Fresh IE.

 

Fresh IE not only writes his own music he produces almost all of the beats and rythems

that pound with every verse. The first commercial project he created in his living room made Canadian history. With songs raw from years of struggling, Red Letterz, filtered into mindset

of people who voted Fresh IE, to become the first Canadian rapper ever to be nominated for

a Grammy.

Selected to the top five in his category among thousands of other worthy submissions.

Upon reflection Fresh IE says, "To say I didn't dream of being nominated and eventually

winning a Grammy would be a lie. I dreamed of success not knowing as a child daring

to believe in my dreams would actually put me in the same league as those I admired

as a child."

 

Feeling the pressure to do it again, he did it. Fresh IE's follow-up project, Truth Is Fallin in

the Streetz, won him another gold medal nomination, for a Grammy. The album, created

in his brand new studio, fit the calling Fresh was hearing in life too. To take the truth of

life's struggles and victories to the streets that need it most. Kids, teens and hip hop fans

that

most artists ignore, intentionally or not. Turning his music career to a love for those still

struggle and resisting the urge to follow after fame, Fresh IE started travelling to

Canada's First Nations remote and northern reserves. He found the greatest return for

his investment, a generation who embraces his hope inspiring music.

 

Lockjaw, re-released as Out tha Oven, started to reveal the rock edge in Fresh IE.

The album was nominated for numerous awards winning a few, including 2

Covenant Awards, a Gospel Music Award. Lockjaw/Out tha Oven is a cry that

gives fans a voice starving for attention. A voice not to be ignored, helping

fans declare life as if it was new, fresh out the oven.

"Lockjaw was about my fans grabbing a hold of the life they deserve," says

Fresh IE, "declaring war on failure and defying statistics."

 

To follow suit, Fresh IE defies the way he normally creates music. He formed a

live band, The Unashamed, and recorded 'Inside.' With this latest project barely

out of production Fresh IE and The Unashamed went on tour across six provinces.

Playing at venues in youth prisons, festivals and to his biggest audience to date

at the 2010 Olympics to throng of 80 thousand plus people screaming at the top

of their lungs. "It was a huge rush, one I'll never forget. An extreme honour to

play for such a historic world event," says Fresh IE.

 

Struggle is never far away though. Reminding Fresh IE of how hard he has to work

to get his music to ones who need it most no matter what happens in life. The letters

he recieves from fans say it all. This one is part of a hand written note from a teen

girl in a youth centre was struggling with suicide. Madeline writes, "I wanted you to

know how much you inspire me. Your songs help me to stay strong, they give the

sense of belonging. I feel good again and (am) happy to be alive."

Madeline goes on to say, she wants to eventually create her own music to help

more people.

 

Fresh IE's been writing and producing his own music for the past 10 years and

has enough new material for at least two more albums. Although there's been

plenty times and situations in the last decade that made this independant artist

want to quit the music business, he refuses to give up. In fact, he is still struggling

and chasing his own dream of one day holding a gramaphone in his hands. Not only

for himself but for those who can't get there and for those who've helped him get

where he's at right now. In the meantime he embraces the struggle Hoping his

music will keep inspiring those who need hope and victory in life.